Moistening device



Oct. 8, 1929. l w. A. uTTz, sR 1,730,795

MOISTENING DEVICE l Filed Dec. 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet"l 2 MW" m Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES maan 'raar aries WILLIAJISLEv A. UTTZ, SR., OF FORT 1WORTH, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO PERFECTION PACKAGE SEALER COMPANY, A. CORPORATON F TEXAS MoIsTnNINa DEVICE Application filed December 2, 1926. SeriaI No. 152,244.

are the machines shown in my copending application, Serial Number 130,909, filed August 23, 1926.

Many attempts have been made to produce a suitable moistening device for the tape as it is drawn olf or delivered from such machines but all of those now in use are defective in one way or another. The present machines all employ some form of roller, wicking, either stationary or moved around a roller or other 5 support in unison with the complete cycle of the operation of the machine, or a brush. The rollers are defective because the upper part which comesinto contact with the tape is normally dry and the roller has to be rotated before thetape is drawn oft'. Also, if the tape is drawn off slowly insufficient water is supplied and the gum on the tape is not softened-enough to provide proper adhesion while, if the tape is drawn off quickly too much water is supplied and the gum is washed olf the tape. Stationary wicks are unsatisfactory because the surface engaging the tape quickly becomes coated with gum making it necessary to trim off this surface frequently. Moving or rotating wicks which move continuously during the drawing od of the tape are open to the same objections as rollers. Furthermore, wickingof the usual kinds has a very low capillary effect on water and most other fabrics `are similarly deicient. Brushes are also objectionable because the bristles of which they are composed produce streaks of moisture with the gum between the streaks too dry to adhere to a dry object.

The present invention has for one object to overcome all these objections, and'does so bythe use of a special form of fabric having a very high capillary action on water and provided with afuzzy surface for engagement'against the gummed side of the tape.

Asecond object is to provide a fabric of this class having inelastic edges and capable of being laun'dried when soiled or full of gum.

A third object vof the invention is to so arrange the fabric on a support that successive portions of the strip may be positioned for contact with the tape, thus enablinga clean and ungummed portion of the fabric to be brought into use from time to time without trimming off or decreasing its length. n

A fourth object 0i t-he invention is to provide an improved arrangement of moistener such that a fabric is supported with a portion positioned for contacting by the gummed side of a gummed strip, the fabric strip being automatically fed to bring successive portions into active position by the actuation of a port-ion of the dispensing mechanism.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of part-s hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed. n

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure l is a plan view of the forward portion of a machine for dispensing gummed tape and provided with the improved moistening device.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Figure l. Y

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one form of holder for use with the novel moistening fabric.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section to an enlarged scale through one form of moistener.

Figure 5 is a detail side elevation of aportion of the moister showing one mannerof holding the fabric support. v

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure'2 showing a modification arranged for automatic shifting of the fabric strip.

Figure 7 is a detail partial plan view of the modified form, certain parts being omitted and others broken away to better disclose the details.

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the fabric strip shifting mechanism. K

Figure 9 is a detail view of a fabric strip for use herewith.

Figure 1() is a perspective view of a modiiied form of support with one stirrup for this form shown at one side in dotted lines.

In the device as here shown there is employed a tape dispensing ma chine of t-he same type as that shown and described in the copending application aforesaid. It not therefore deemed necessary to go into all of the details of this machine but only to oescribe those which have a more or less direct cooperative relation with the moistener. To this end it will be noted that the machine is provided with a` body casing 10 whereon is pivotally mounted a swinging frame 11 carrying a severing lade or cutter 12 which passes downwardly through an opening 13 in the top of the casing during the severing operation. The paper is supported in the usual manner and moves forward over the top of the casing so that the part to be severed projects forwardly beyond the opening 13. The frame 11 in this form is actuated by a linger lever 1a connected to the frame by a link 15 and provided on its forward end with a presser plateV 16. Upon pressing this plate the frame 11 .rocks forwardly and the knife or blade 12 passes through the slot 13 severing the portion ofthe tape. Spring plates 17 are secured at the sides of the casing 10 and bear lightly against the forward end of the top of said casing as shown in Figure 2 so that the tape passes beneath them. All of this part of the structure is like to that of the copending application above mentioned. W'ithin the casing 10 there is mounted a water tank or receptacle 18 and at the forward end of this receptacle there is provided an upstanding well or guide portion 19. The top of the forward end of the receptacle 18 has mounted thereon a loose closure 2O which, in the forms shown in Figures 1 and 2, has its rear end provided with an' upst-anding guide plate 21 inclined forwardly from bottom to top, and in the forms shown in Figures and 7 the closure 2O is provided with a vertically upstanding guide plate 22. Each of these plates hasV a lip 23 to enable the same to be gripped andremoved by the fingers of the user. The side walls of the guide 19 are notched as at 23 and in these notches rests the projecting ears 2a of a supporting plate 25 preferably having notches 2G at its top and bottom end. As shown in Figure 4 a strip of suitable fabric having` high capillary act-ion on water is wrapped around the plate 25 to form several layers. This strip has a body 27 which is composed of fabric having a fuzzy surface 28, the fabric being stitched as at 29 to render the edges inelastic so that this fabric can be washed or laundried and reused when desired. Tn this form of the device it will be obvious that the support 25 and fabric wound thereon may be removed at will from the tank 18, the fabric unwrapped and the inner end shifted in position on the plate 25, the fabric being then rewrapped. This brings a fresh surface at the top of this moistening device where it engages beneath the plates 17. Thus when one portion of the surface becomes gummed by the drawing of the gummed tape over the fabric a `new portion is readily presented. Experience has shown that ordinary vwicking is inefficient for this purpose and after many trials and experiments it was found necessary to employ thetype of fabric known as imitation chamois skin on which one side is covered with short fuzz closely resen'ibling the fuzz on chamois skin. This fabric has very powerful-capillary action for water and will lift the water a much greater distance than any other type of fabric. Moreover, this fuzzy surface ensures a perfectly even distribution of the moisture on the tape as it is drawn over the top of the moistener. Furthermore, the inclined position of the moistener ensures even pressure on the tape at all times.

Tn the type of moistenerl shown in Figures 6 to 3 the fabric takes the form of an endless band 30 of this same material having selvage edges 31 of inelastic character. This band is mounted preferably on a rubber strip 32 which projects at at least one edge and the holder 25 has its top and bottom edges rounded and is formed from highly polished material, the material preferably being nickel plated. As is well knownwet rubber slips easily over highly polished metal. In this form the rubber edge of the moistener is provided with a series of spaced openings 33 and on the top of the tank 18 is mounted a bracket 34: whereon is pivot-ally supported on arm 35, the pivot being between the ends of the arm and the rear end of the arm being considerably longer than the front end.y On the front end of this arm there is mounteda dog having a pointed nose 36 which engages the openings 33. This dog is pivoted between its ends on-a pivot 37 and to therear of the pivot the dog is provided with a stop lug 38 which engages the top edge of the arm 35 under normal conditions, the rear end of the dog being provided with a weight extension 39 to hold the stop lug proper position.v The arm 35 is so positioned beneath the slot 13 that upon-the frame 11 being swung downward a. fiat portion l0 on the blade 12 engages this arm in front of the-pivot and pushes. the same down to t-he postion shown in Figure 6. Upon the frame 11 moving to its normal position under the influence of its spring (not shown) the arm 35 will tilt downward atits rear end, due to its greater weight at this end, and the dog will tilt on its pivot so thatit moves up and contacts with the next opening 33 above that with which it was just engaged. When the frame 11 is again swung'down the same operation is repeated and obviously the moistener belt will be shifted step. by step on `its support thus presenting continuous fresh surfaces for rubbing by the tape to moisten the latter.

In the form shown in Figure 10 a slightly different support for the moistener strip is provided. In this form the body of the support is shown at 41 and has side flanges 42 from which project trunnions 43 and counterbalance arms 44. In this case stirrups, shown in dotted lilies at 45, hang downward from the opening in the top of the tank 18 and the trunnions 43 are received therein. Thus the moistener in this form occupies the slanting position shown in Figure 10, and the arms 44 assist in pressing it against the plate 17. It is found desirable, because of the space between the presser plates 17, to make a slight bulge or convexity 46 at at least the top and in some instances at the bottom end of this holder in order that the pressure on the tape between the plates 17 may be kept uniform with the balance.

It will be noted that the rubber backing 32 is provided with holes 47 to permit excess moisture draining from the fabric onto its support to keep the latter moist for slipping of the rubber.

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a gummed tape dispensing machine wherein the tape travels along a definite path, a support arranged substantially at right angles to the tape and adjacent the gummed side thereof, a strip of fabric wrapped at least once around the support with the portion passing over one end of the support engaging the gummed side of said tape, said strip being shiftable around the support to present fresh surfaces to the gummed tape, a tape severing` device movable into and out of severing position, and means carried by the tape severing device and operating uponv movement of the device to severing position to cause movement of t-he strip around the support.

2. In a moistener for gummed tape dispensers, a support, and a strip of fabric Wrapped longitudinally at least once around said support and shiftable around said support to present a series of fresh surfaces at the top of the support While maintaining the fabric at uniform length, said support being of highly polished material and the fabric having a rubber base sheet to which it is attached and which lies against the support to permit free slipping when Wet.

3. In a moistener for gummed tape dis` pensers, a support, and a strip of fabric wrapped longitudinally at least once around said support and shiftable around said support 'to present a series of fresh surfaces at the top of the support while maintaining the fabric at uniform length, said support being of highly polished material and the fabric having a rubber base sheet to which it is attached and which lies against the support to permit free slipping when Wet, said fabric having one fuzzy surface and arranged on the support with the fuzzy surface outermost.

4. In a moistener for gummed tape dispensers, a support, a strip of fabric Wrapped longitudinally at least once around said support and shiftable around said support to present a series of fresh surfaces at the top of the support while maintaining the fabric at uniform length, and positively operating means to mechanically shift the fabric around the support in successive steps, said support being of highly polished material and the fabric having a rubber base sheet to which it is attached and which liesV against the support to permit free slipping when wet.

5. In a moistener for gummed tape dispensers, a support, a strip of fabric wrapped longitudinally at least once around said support and shiftable around said support to present a series of fresh surfaces at the top of the support while maintaining the fabric at uniform length, and positively operating means to mechanically shift the fabric around the support in successive steps, said support being of highly polished material and the fabric having a rubber base sheet to which it is attached and which lies against the support to permit free slipping when Wet, said fabric having one fuzzy surface and arranged on the support with the fuzzy surface outermost.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

WILLIAM A. UITZ, SR. 

